Laura Baumbach adds her enstalment in the Collector series by Loose Id.

Brandon is a young gay cop. He has a relationship with his older partner Phil. But Phil is a gay in the closet, worse he is also a cheating man, using Brandon as 'mistress' while he has a betrothal in course with a woman. Brandon accepts all cause he has a deply sense of abandonment and fears to be alone.

But then he is convinced to leave on a search for an ancient artifact, the amour statue of Karttikeya, who legends say grant every heart's desire and in his search he is mated with Christian, an handsome archeologist. Christian is Brandon's perfect man, protective and loving and has no fear to commitment. Brandon soon changes his heart's desire: he no more wants Phil's love, he wants this man, Christian.

As always Baumbach's sex scenes are hot and detailed but I find in this novel a novelty in her style: even if Christian is a huge man while Brandon is the cute type, during love (and I don't mean only sex, I intend also during the day-by-day relationship) the alpha male's role is not as clearly assigned to Christian; the man is willing to play also the bottom's role, and Brandon likes, sometimes, to hold the reins in the relationship.

And the plot is also more adventurous, and departs from the usual one-to-one's love story. Interesting supporting characters (I don't speak of them to not doing spoilers).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934531936/?tag=elimyrevandra-20

This is the final installment of a series of long novellas from Loose-ID. Information on the series can be found at www.collector-series.com. The Collector is searching for the pieces of a mysterious artifact known as "The Love Totem." Each piece has the ability to grant a heart's true desire, and each novella follows the search for a piece. However, it is not necessary to read any of them to enjoy or understand this story.

You know it's a Laura Baumbach romance when the story starts with a hot sex scene on the very first page, and continues on for several more pages! Brandon is a cop. His partner and lover Phil is in the closet and engaged to marry Susan. He's callous of Brandon's feelings and keeps their relationship secret. Brandon is devastated when actions speak louder than words about Phil's true motives. When Brandon is given the chance of a lifetime to find the last artifact for the Love Totem, he seizes it. But, he'll need an expert in archeology - enter Christian. Christian is well regarded in his field, and sexy as hell. And he knows Brandon isn't in love with Phil, he's afraid of being alone. Christian just needs to convince Brandon to take a chance with him.

Like all of the author's novels, this one is packed with sex scenes. And the ones between Christian and Brandon will have readers squirming on their sofa. When Brandon finally lets Christian into his heart, it's love at first sight. His thoughts become quite poetic, and it sweetens the sex. Thankfully, Baumbach is one of the few M/M authors that can manage love at first sight without it being ridiculous. And, the expedition to find the statue is a great backdrop for their budding romance. Overall, this is well done erotica. The main characters are appealing, especially Brandon. My one slight disappointment was that readers never see Phil again. On the one hand, that works because the story is really about Brandon and Christian. On the other hand, the petty vindictive part of me wants Brandon to throw his new love in Phil's face!

Highly recommended! (Though I have to say, I preferred the original e-book cover). ( )